The Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) is making arrangements to ensure that farmers can access the fuel needed for paddy harvesting, according to discussions at its General Assembly and Annual General Meeting held virtually on March 25.

During the meeting, members reviewed and approved the Federation’s 2025 activities, along with 15 priority work plans. Key topics included securing fuel for both farmers and rice mills, assessing domestic and international rice market conditions, granting import rights to rice mills, plans to establish a rice export zone, compiling an inventory of rice mills, selecting a new General Secretary, providing export-based short-term loans, outlining future processes, and amending the Federation’s constitution.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Central Executive members, Executive members, and association members.

Meanwhile, a video of a farmer expressing frustration over fuel shortages has gone viral on social media.

In the video, the farmer says, "They call us “Our benefactor farmers” and where does the fuel in Myanmar disappear? We sell all this rice and not get a container of fuel. We are just preparing to starve. We don’t plant a single rice plant. We are losing money and have nothing to invest. We have run out of money."